Restaurant Inspections: Ybor Brewery Fails 2 Times

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ordered emergency closures at two restaurants in the Tampa Bay area last week. One of the establishments is a popular Centro Ybor destination.

Roach activity, unsafe food temperatures and flying bugs were among the biggest reasons behind the temporary closings. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending Nov. 23, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

Tampa

Tampa Bay Brewing Company, 1600 E. 8th Ave., A123

• Inspection date – Nov. 23
• High priority violations – 4
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 14

The inspector noted a number of concerns, including dead roaches found near the cook line, employee failure to wash hands properly and the presence of a hole in the wall. Live, small flying bugs located in the kitchen and live roaches found near the pizza oven, cook line, dry storage area and other locations, however, were of top concern at this popular Ybor City destination. The eatery failed to meet state standards during a follow-up inspection on Monday, Nov. 23, and was forced to remain closed by the state inspector. Live roaches continued to be a major concern with roaches found again in the kitchen during the re-inspection. It is unclear at this time when the inspector will return.

The Nov. 23 closing was the second in a week for this establishment. The eatery also failed a Nov. 20 inspection with nine high priority violations reported. During that inspection, an estimated 15 live roaches were found on the hot cook line and another 21 or so under the cold cook line, the state report noted. The eatery was allowed to open conditionally on Nov. 21, but then ran into issues with that Nov. 23 follow-up visit that resulted in yet another shuttering.

Wesley Chapel

City Grill, 5429 Village Market

• Inspection date – Nov. 18
• High priority violations – 2
• Intermediate violations – 2
• Basic violations – 6

The inspector noted such concerns as improper food storage, a manager lacking proof of food manager certification and failure to provide proof of state-approved employee training. The biggest concern, however, was the discovery of a number of live roaches found in the kitchen area. The eatery was able to meet state standards during a repeat visit on Nov. 18. At that point, only a few intermediate and basic violations remained, the state inspector noted.

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